Abstract

Ibbitt, R.P. Data processing: A review of the Ministry of Works and Development

When instrumentation is chosen for collecting data, decisions are made – often implicitly – about the purposes for which the data are to be collected and about the accuracy needed to fulfil these purposes. Frequently, unfore¬seen circumstances affect the type of instrument required or the objective(s) for which the data are being collected. Some of the consequences of the use of inappropriate instruments are examined.
A description is then given of the different types of data currently being processed by the Ministry of Works and Development and of how the type of data affects the processing. The relative merits of different forms of publication based on the data are discussed, and the conclusions lead to a description of the ways in which users can obtain the data.